Charles F. Born

Charles Franklin Born (April 24, 1903[1] – May 24, 1979) was a major general in the United States Air Force and an All-American football player.

Charles Franklin Born
Major General Charles F. Born
Nickname(s)"Charley"
BornApril 24, 1903
Racine, Wisconsin, United States
DiedMay 24, 1979(1979-05-24) (aged 76)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Buried
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1928–1934 (Army)
1934–1941 (Army Air Corps)
1941–1947 (Army Air Forces)
1947–1955 (Air Force)
Rank Major general
Commands held50th Observation Squadron
Antilles Air Command
II Bomber Command
Continental Air Forces
Second Air Force
Tactical Air Command
United States Air Forces in Europe
Air Training Command
Battles/warsWorld War II
Berlin Airlift

Biography

Born was born in Racine, Wisconsin, to Frank and Martha (née: Madera) Born.[2] His father was born in Germany, and was a city of Racine fireman. He had two younger brothers, Captain Howard and Admiral Arthur Born, who were naval officers, and a younger sister, Grace. He graduated from St. John's Military Academy in 1924, where he was chosen as honor graduate, and West Point in 1928. On May 4, 1949, in Arlington, Virginia, he married the former Miss Eleanor Mae Moller. He died on May 24, 1979, in Phoenix, Arizona and was laid to rest at West Point Cemetery. With his first wife, Florence née: Fountain, he had 3 children; Charles Jr., JoAnne, and Charlotte. His brothers are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

United States Military Academy

Born graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928. While there, he was an All-American member of the Army Black Knights football and lacrosse team. He was also a member of the ice hockey team. He was selected as a first-team end by the All-America Board for the 1925 College Football All-America Team.[3] He was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[4]

He died on May 24, 1979, in Phoenix, Arizona, and was buried in West Point Cemetery.

Military career

Upon graduation he was assigned to the Cavalry. In 1934, he transferred to the Air Corps. He was given command of the 50th Observation Squadron in 1936. In 1937, he was named an instructor at the United States Military Academy. During World War II, he took command of the Antilles Air Command and assistant chief of staff for operations and training of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force before being named assistant chief of staff for operations and training and eventually deputy commander of the Fifteenth Air Force. Following the war, he was given command of the Second Air Force and the Fifteenth Air Force. In 1947, he was appointed chief of staff of Tactical Air Command. Later, he would become deputy chief of staff for operations of the United States Air Forces in Europe. In 1951, he was named deputy for operations of Air Training Command. His retirement was effective as of January 1, 1955.[5]

Assignments

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. Born was also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath of the United Kingdom.[6]

Decorations

  Command pilot
Army Distinguished Service Medal[7]
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters[8]
Distinguished Flying Cross[9]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with Berlin Airlift Device
Medal for Humane Action
Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 with Palm (France)
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom)

References

  1. Fogerty, Robert P. (1953). "Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 190–192. USAF historical studies: no. 91. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  2. "Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES F. BORN". archive.is. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2015-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Tad Jones; Knute Rockne; Glenn Warner (1925-12-04). "Red Grange Placed on Second All-American Team: Coaches Keep Star Off First: Rockne, Jones and Warner Claim He Has Two Main Weak Points; Friedman Is Captain; Two Michigan Men Honored; Pacific Coast Stars in the Backfield". The Davenport Democrat.
  4. "Associated Press Announces All-American Teams". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. 1925-12-14.
  5. "General Born Has Chalked Up Action-Packed Military Life". Prescott Evening Courier. June 15, 1953.
  6. "Biography of Major-General Charles Franklin Born (1903 – 1979), USA". generals.dk. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  7. "The Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Military Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  8. "The Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Military Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  9. "The Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Military Times. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
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